Whether you're planning a road trip, waiting for a friend, or want some
cool air in your idle car, you've probably pondered the question, "can I
sleep in my car with the ac running?"
You should not sleep in your car for extended periods with the AC
running. Even though many choose to sit in their car with the AC on,
avoid napping for too long with any part of the car running because you
could fall victim to carbon monoxide gas, electrical faults, or a
drained battery.
Below, we go over everything you need to know about the risks of sleeping
in a car with the air conditioner running, whether carbon monoxide comes
through the AC, and how to stay safe if you must sleep in your vehicle.
Sleeping in car with AC running.
Can I Sleep In My Car With The AC Running?
Truck drivers and others who drive for a living often nap in their
vehicles.
However, casual drivers may have to take naps while traveling since driving
when tired should never be an option.
That said, sleeping in a vehicle with the air conditioner or engine running
is dangerous, so you should always turn climate controls off before getting
some shut-eye.
If left running for extended periods, the AC can risk your car and life.
How Long Can You Sit In The Car with the Air Conditioning Running?
Provided your car engine is running and you've got enough gas in the tank,
you can leave your AC system on for hours!
But when your car isn't in motion, and the engine is switched off, you
should avoid turning the air conditioner on to prevent draining the battery
and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Can Carbon Monoxide Come From AC in Car?
Air conditioning systems themselves do not produce carbon monoxide.
The gas is only emitted through fuel-burning systems.
However, leaving your AC running while you sleep in your car increases the
chances of carbon monoxide infiltrating the cabin and poisoning you.
Research by the Centers for Disease Control showed that the toxin could become life-threatening in only seven minutes
inside a car with the AC running.
The odorless nature of the gas increases its deadliness as you won't know
whether you're inhaling it without a CO detector.
Can You Sleep In Your Car with the Windows Closed and the Air Conditioner
On?
You shouldn't sleep in your car with the windows closed and the air
conditioner on.
It drastically increases the likelihood of suffering CO poisoning and
suffocation from harmful fumes.
Instead, turn the AC and the car engine off, and crack your windows to give
yourself access to the outside air and more oxygen.
How Cold Is Too Cold to Sleep In Your Car?
Your car can be a great shelter in times of need.
However, humans aren't designed to deal with below-freezing temperatures
(i.e., anything under 32 Fahrenheit) for prolonged durations.
If you don't keep warm, you could experience the first stages of
hypothermia in as little as ten minutes.
When the outside temperature drops below freezing, it's best to avoid
sleeping in your car.
That said, you can prepare for winter car sleeping by purchasing thermal
clothing (including gloves and socks), insulating your vehicle with
reflective foam, and getting a thermal-grade sleeping bag.
You are at risk of CO2 poisoning sleeping in a car.
6 Tips to Stay Safe While You Sleep in Your Car
Sometimes, you'll have no other option but to sleep in your car overnight.
In these moments, you need to keep the following six tips in mind to sleep
safely and avoid harmful exhaust fumes:
#1 Turn the Engine Off
Leaving the car running while you sleep exposes you to fumes and could
drain your battery and gas.
Always turn the car's engine off and remove the keys from the ignition
before putting your head down.
#2 Don't Completely Shut the Car Windows
While you shouldn't leave yourself vulnerable to thieves by leaving your
windows rolled all the way down, you should crack them open a slither for
ventilation.
That way, your air intake will remain fresh, but you will maintain safety
when parking overnight.
#3 Park Overnight In a Safe, Legal Place
Speaking of parking, make sure you find a safe, legal place where cars are
permitted overnight.
Resist simply pulling to the side of the road; find designated rest stops,
a parking lot, or other overnight parking solutions, and always check local
laws before sleeping in your car.
#4 Make Sure Someone Knows Where You're Sleeping in Your Car
At least one person should know where you're safely parked before going to
sleep.
After all, sleeping in a car can never be 100% safe, so protect your life
by letting a family member or friend know where you're staying.
#5 Bring Loads of Blankets
If you plan to sleep in a car overnight, always bring blankets; it gets
colder at night than most people realize.
That said, a cheap hotel room might be more beneficial.
You can get away with bringing a portable fan to keep you cool safely while
sleeping in your car during the day.
Conclusion
By now, you should have the answer to your "can I sleep in my car with the
ac running" query — and a lot more.
If you must sleep in your car, always turn the AC and engine off to
mitigate the risks of carbon monoxide fatalities, drained batteries,
electrical faults, and catching a chill.
On top of that, always find safe parking zones before getting some
much-needed shut-eye.